I have reviewed hundreds of cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, minivans and motorcycles for a wide assortment of magazines and websites. If it's got wheels and an engine, I want to drive it or ride it, and then write about it. I'm fascinated by transportation, and by what our means of transportation says about who we are. I have lived all over the place, but I've settled in Southern California for the great roads.

The Best Cars for Commuters 2013

The overwhelming majority of Americans commute to work in a private automobile. According to “Commuting in the United States: 2009,” the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent study on the subject, over 105 million of us drive to work alone each work day, representing 76.1 percent of the total workforce. The mean journey to work takes 25.1 minutes. That’s a lot of time behind the wheel for a lot of people. With so many drivers spending so much time commuting, the choice of car is vital.

So, we have compiled a list of the Best Cars for Commuters for 2013. We honed our selection from the Consumer Reports list of Recommended Cars. To be recommended, cars must perform well in the Consumer Union’s “more than 50 tests, have average or better predicted reliability; and perform adequately if included in a government or insurance industry crash test.” Cars are rated on a scale of 1 – 100. Higher scores are best. Next, we examined gas mileage, as reported on the official source for fuel economy, www.fueleconomy.gov. For a commuter, better fuel economy equates to money in the pocket. Then we considered fuel capacity and range. Great efficiency without adequate range means more stops to refuel (or recharge) and lost time. We did not factor in purchase price into our selection, though the Best Cars for Commuters turned out to be modestly priced, with starting prices ranging from $20,400 to $46,310.

Not every commute is the same, either. We’ve identified five different commuting categories, and have selected two cars for each category. The commuting categories are Short Commute, Long Commute, Carpool, Winter Commute and Summer Commute.

A Short Commute is 10 minutes or less, and is probably in an urban setting. A small car will have the advantage here, as it will be more maneuverable in traffic, and easier to park. Aaron Gold, About.com’s Guide to Cars, advised that “if you mostly commute solo or with one other person, avoid big vehicles like SUVs and minivans — you’re wasting a lot of fuel hauling around all that steel and empty space. Best to commute in something smaller and save the big car for family trips.”

A Long Commute demands fuel efficiency, comfort and reliability, along with the latest communications and telematics technology. The smallest cars aren’t well suited to longer commutes at freeway speeds, but a compact car can represent the best balance between comfort and economy. Brandy Schaffels, Senior Editor at TrueCar.com, says that commuters “traveling longer distances may be focused on saving money with a car that gets better mileage or, considering the amount of time they spend in their cars, they might prefer to sacrifice some miles per gallon for more comfort.”

10 percent of commuters are in a carpool, according to Census figures. Carpool vehicles don’t need to be cavernous vans or full size sedans. Comfort combined with efficiency rules here. “Consider a mid-size SUV that offers an optional third row to provide room for people and cargo,” says Schaffels.

If you live in part of the country that gets walloped by winter, you know that a Winter Commute makes specific demands on your car. You need all-wheel drive and decent ground clearance in addition to the other commuting virtues. Don’t overdo it, though. A big four-wheel drive SUV isn’t necessary for your commute unless you plow your own path to work instead of taking the public roadways.

In the summertime, commuting can be fun. What could be better than top-down driving to lift your spirits on the drive home? Consider a convertible or a small, efficient sports car, and you’ll gain more than fuel efficiency for your drive. Just be aware that your favorite car is going to get some wear and tear. “Commuting in your dream car may turn out to be a bit of a nightmare,” cautions Gold. “It can be rough on a car, with lots of wear and tear and potential for dings and scratches.”

Photo (c) Toyota

The Toyota Prius scored high marks as a vehicle for the Long Commute. Not only does it get outstanding gas mileage (51 city/48 highway/50 combined miles per gallon), it can go close to 600 miles between fill-ups, allowing commuters to save time at the gas station, and to shop around for the best fuel prices along the commute.

Photo (c) Audi

The Audi A6 may not be an obvious choice for the Carpool Commute, but it strikes a perfect balance between efficiency and comfort, all while delivering an exquisite package of advanced technology, cutting edge interior style and driving pleasure. The only downside to the A6 is that your carpool-mates may demand that you drive more than your fair share.

Photo (c) Mazda

The Mazda MX-5 Miata isn’t the most practical vehicle on our list, but it certainly ranks as the most fun. A perfectly balanced chassis carrying an eager engine and slick transmission have made the Miata a longtime favorite for weekend drives. Why not keep the fun going, and drive the two-seater to the office?

Choose the right vehicle for your commute, and you might decide to take the long way home.

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